The Indianapolis journal., 1887-12-29

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authorities and preparatory schools. ad
juncts of colleges must be abandoned as it is an
enemy to thorough work in the high-schools, and
to college discipline.
In the discussion which followed the reading
of this paper. Superintendent Grant, of the In
dlanapolis high-school, stated his experience In
the remark that moro pupils enter col
lege from the Indianapolis high-school because
they fail than because they graduate.
The next paper was by Mrs Lois G.. Huford,
OF indianapolis. on Teaching Literature The
speaker thought that teacher In order to be a
true guide, must be able to sympathiZe with his
pupils. knowledge of English history is es-
sential to an understanding of English litera.
ture biographical studies should be vivid ana
lasting, and in treating pretentious subjects pu-
pills should not be permitted to use adjecrives
expressive of large knowledge of subjects OF
which they Saow but little
W. z. Henry of the Peru schools, read com
petitive paper Literature in the High
schools" He thought that literature should not
be taught as language study alone, but also as
fine art
After brief discussion of these and other
subjects by T. 81. Dunn, of Charlottesville; g.
F. kenaston. of Noblesville; d. K. Goss. of
Rochester, and others. the morning session
closed.
at the afternoon session the first paper read
was an interesting one by Mrs S. B. Cox. OF
Kokomo, the subject of '.Thoroughness
The speaker introduced her subject by descrip-
tion of Boston school in 1920. when rote
showed here the defect of this apparently thor
oueh work. She stated that since recent light
ening and rearraneine of the work, the causes
either of want of thoroughness of work or over
work, would be found outside the school
room-the feverlsh unrest which pervades
all classes and ages OF the native s
the homo and school impressed upon bright pu-
pills While mentioning the ordinary means of
securing thoroughness the speaker took occasion
to speak more at length upon the necessity OF
cess without unnecessary wear of the brain.
She then spoke of several things which underlie
the efforts of instructors. Too much attention
has been given to the brain alone; children live
at the ends of their fingers and toes as well as
any where else and there is q necessity for in
troducng manual training in all grades The
vast immigration of skilled labor forces manual
training upon the schools.
Charles E. Newlin, of Frankfort. discussed
the speakers view in paper that was listened
to with great interest. The speaker thought that
social, political and religious duties have piled
up until thoroughness In many departments,
can hardly be hoped for. The best way to at
tain thoroughness is through the complete mas
terry of few fundamental principles This is
the kind of education that never fails in its ap-
plication. The speaker thought that in the rush
TO the new education, the idea of the common
schools has been lost. The object is to make a
strong mind and not full one.
Lille j. Martin, of Indianapolis High-schooi
No. j, followed vita competitive paper on
''Plant Chemistry in the High School" The
speaker said that where chemistry is taught the
analysis of plants interest and encourage orlgi-
nal research upon the part of the student, some
thing very desirable, but which inorganic chem
lstry fails to secure. Tho paper dwelt largely
upon the proper method of arranging labora-
tory, and the course of analysis to be pursued.
While dealing almost entirely with technical
matters the speaker was followed with the clos
est attention.
At the close of the exercises a motion was
adopted instructing the executive committee to
select ono half the papers to be read at the meet
ing, from competitive examination.
Institute Instructors Organize an Association.
The Institute instructors attending the Teach
ers' Association meeting assembled in the lecture
room of Plymouth Church, yesterday afternoon,
for the purpose of discussing the advisa pilty Of
organizing an Institute Instructors Association.
The meeting called by Professor La Fol-
lette Superintendent of Public Instruction. in
accordance with the action Of a recent meeting
of the State Board Of Education, when an order
was adopted appointing committee to organize
such an association. to meet in connection with
the County Superintendents Association, upon
Wednesday, the last week in June of each year.
The committee appointed consi listed Of w. w.
Parsons, president of the State Normal School;
L. H. Jones, Indianapolis, and State Superin-
tendent La Toilette. twenty-five instructors
were present at the meeting, and Superintend-
ent La Toilette made chairman. There
a general EXPIRE ssiou from those present
fa-orng the organization of such association
as the State board contemplated but permanent
organization deferred until the June meet
ing Upon the Recommendation of the State
Superintendent committee, composed of Pro-
fessors Arnold. Tompkins aud Williams,
appointed to prepare plan for permanent
organization. to be submitted at the June meet
ing. 1t is the object to organize association
wherein will be presented and discussed the
various lines and methods of institute instruc-
tou, by the best workers. and 1t Is believed that
such an organization will do much toward ad-
vancing and systematzing the institute work.
After the business relating to the OIL ganizatiou
of such an association disposed Of w. w.
very interesting and instructive paper ''Edu-
cational Science it Should be Presented in
County Institutes" He presented
views to the kind of instruction that should
characterize institutes. The paper very
generally discussed by those present Prof.
Arnold Tompkins also favored tho meeting with
a paper on Rational Presentation of Methods
in County Institutes" 1t contained many valu-
able suggestions to those doing institute work,
and drew out a general and interesting discus
sion of how certain topics should be presented
in order that tho teachers might receive the
greatest benefit possible from the instruction.
Mrs Eudora Heilman was to have read a paper
on Kindergarten Instruction as Applicable to
Primary Work in the County Schools" but she
was absent. The thsme was. however, taken up
by those present and discussed with profit.
The Country School Teachers.
The session of the village and country school
teachers closed yesterday at noon The following
papers were presented: "What Shall Be Done
With Our Township Libraries?" Superin dent
Fremont Goodwin, Warren county. "Elemen-
ary Drawing in the Common Schools; ta), Why